Susan Edmunds, Money CorrespondentA gas retailer will stop supplying customers next year, amid what Consumer NZ calls a "death spiral" for the industry.Genesis Energy-owned Frank Energy launched in 2021. But it has told customers that it will stop supplying gas from March next year."NZ's natural gas supply is clearly in decline at present and with uncertainty around its long term availability and price," a Genesis spokesperson said."As the supply of different fuels changes, Frank has chosen to focus on electricity only. Removing gas and LPG from our product range also simplifies our ability to digitise customer service and ordering and reduce cost from our business. The dual fuel offering is not common among challenger retailers."She said people who had gas or LPG with Frank were being offered the opportunity to switch to Genesis."Customers moving from Frank to Genesis will be placed on Genesis rates, although they will be on an open plan and can therefore choose to switch to another provider without penalty."Consumer NZ head of Powerswitch Paul Fuge said gas supply to residential homes was in a "death spiral".About 46 percent of households have gas, split evenly between bottles and reticulated supply.But the price had lifted about 15 percent and providers were trying to recoup costs of an expensive network from a falling number of consumers.He said people with gas could pay an extra $700 a year just from having a gas connection."It's quite an expensive option for people now, on average about $1.90 a day to have a connection and then you have to have the electricity connection as well and it limits the number of options you have for supply because some retailers won't supply you with gas unless you have electricity as well."That limits your choices because some don't supply gas at all… the pool of plans you can choose from is reduced."He said some of the cheapest electricity suppliers did not have gas as an option.Consumer NZ's advice has been that people replacing appliances could think about converting to electricity, but some customers had been told that they had to pay to be disconnected from gas."They're being charged up to $1500 to have the connection removed," Fuge said."It's a large infrastructure with fewer and fewer people connected to it and the more people disconnect, the more the price goes up for those connected. You can see how that can escalate but it has the feeling to me that they're trying to claw back costs from people trying to do the right thing."The Climate Change Commission had suggested that there should be no new connections to the natural gas grid from next year for commercial or residential buildings.Marketing expert Bodo Lang from Massey University is a Frank customer.He said people could react negatively to the impression their choices were being limited."First, they are likely to want the item they cannot obtain even more. Second, alternative options become less appealing. Third, consumers are likely to develop negative feelings towards the person or organisation they believe is restricting their choice."He said that effect would have been felt by people who received the Frank email - potentially magnified by the fact that energy retailing involved contracts and larger regular payments."Frank Energy did a number of things to minimise consumer reactance. Firstly, they sent their notice many months ahead of when they would stop supplying gas. Secondly, they apologised and expressed empathy for how their decision might impact their customers. Thirdly, they outlined the process clearly and encouraged consumers to use an online comparison tool developed by Consumer NZ, a credible and independent organisation, to find the energy retailer best suited to supply them with natural gas. This is a good example of what businesses can do to reduce consumer reactance and thus minimise the damage that bad news might have caused."Frank's spokesperson said there would not be a fee charged for disconnecting from gas."A disconnection fee might be charged by gas network companies if a gas user decides to stop using gas completely and switch their gas appliances to electric. In that case an employee of the gas network company might have to go to that property to physically switch off the gas supply."Gas network companies, such as Vector, First Gas and PowerCo, operate the pipes that take gas into peoples homes. Retailers just sell the gas that runs through the pipes. Frank is a retailer that has decided to no longer sell gas."This story was originally published by RNZ

The government will end greyhound racing in New Zealand, Racing Minister Winston Peters has announced.The decision has been made to protect the welfare of the racing dogs, Peters said.Legislation will be passed under urgency on Tuesday to prevent any unnecessary killing of racing dogs as the result of the announcement."Despite significant progress made by the greyhound racing industry in recent years, the percentage of dogs being injured remains persistently high and the time has come to make a call in the best interest of the animals," he said.The industry had been on notice over animal welfare concerns for several years, Peters said, and three reviews into the industry over the past decade all recommended significant changes."While fewer dogs are dying, injury rates, while down slightly, have plateaued and remain unacceptably high."Peters said members of the industry were learning about the decision at the same time as the public, as he wanted to make sure the dogs were re-homed properly.Stopping greyhound racing was "the right thing to do", Peters said, and it wasn't a matter of how he felt about it.A committee has been set up to help manage a 20-month transition - including rehoming the roughly 2900 racing greyhounds in the country.Peters described the dogs as "superbly good pets ... and clean"."Keeping unwanted dogs safe is a priority. The government is working with animal welfare organisations to establish programmes to support rehoming," Peters said.Homes would be found for the dogs, Peters said, and they would not be sent to race overseas.Appearing before a select committee in June, Peters said he was considering changes but also declared "dogs love racing" and encouraged his fellow MPs to "watch them in the wild".During a televised leaders' debate before last year's election, National leader Christopher Luxon expressed support for a ban on greyhound racing,After becoming prime minister, Luxon told reporters he maintained that position, but said the matter was now one for Peters to consider.Animal activists have long called for action after numerous reviews of the sport sounded alarm about animal welfare practices.In 2021, former sports minister Grant Robertson put the industry "formally on notice" after a report found the industry had failed to adequately improve animal welfare systems.In May last year, then-racing minister Kieran McAnulty declared that the status quo was no longer viable: "We are faced with two options: continue under strict conditions or closure."McAnulty, however, did not take any action before the election. He said he had been delayed due to his other responsibilities as cyclone recovery minister following a series of severe weather events.This story was first published by RNZ

Ruth Hill, ReporterFront-line healthworkers in Northland are being asked to "fill in" on reception to let overworked administration staff take toilet breaks.Outages of critical IT systems for radiology, lab results and phone services have also added to the pressure on staff.Northland is regularly down to just one person on overnight - instead of two - to cover admin for Whangārei, Kaitaia, Bay of Islands, Dargaville and Rawene hospitals, the switchboard for both Whangārei and Bay of Islands, and staff Whangārei Hospital's emergency department reception between 11pm and 7am.Healthcare assistants, triage nurses and duty managers have been asked to cover that person's toilet breaks, pick up more paperwork, and avoid using the switchboard.Resident Doctors' Association head Dr Deborah Powell said that was a safety risk."It takes clinicians away from patient care to do work they're not very good at, to put it bluntly."Te Whatu Ora Te Tai Tokerau group director of operations Alex Pimm said the hospital was recruiting for one position following a recent resignation.Meanwhile, a staff member who "usually works elsewhere" had been trained to provide break relief and back-up, as was "common practice"."Relief staff have been trained to answer emergency or 'code' calls when the evening switchboard staff member is on a brief break if there is only one person working," Pimm said in a written response to RNZ."Their workload is balanced during the shift to enable them to do this. If their usual department needs additional support, we have a variance response nursing and healthcare assistant team that can respond."To reduce pressure on the switchboard, staff had been asked to contact phone extensions directly rather than routing through the operator."This is more efficient and often quicker. Phone numbers have been distributed across clinical areas to assist our teams in adopting this process and we thank them for their willingness to this small change."However, Whangārei Hospital emergency doctor Gary Payinda - speaking to RNZ in his personal capacity - said co-opting healthcare assistants to answer phones was not a good solution, as they were already "flat out" doing their own work: delivering blood, taking patients for urgent scans and supervising patients with dementia."There's an incredible shortage of them. And to think we are now training them up for additional duties that are administrative or clerical in nature, just seems wildly inappropriate."Some emergencies require up to 12 people to be called in from home, including surgeons and imaging technicians.Deborah Powell - who also represents medical imaging technologists - said it was unreasonable to expect clinical staff to cross-reference various rosters and find the right phone numbers."It's not as simple as just looking up a number and picking up the phone and making a call."So we're finding a lot of our people are getting called when they're not on call, so they're getting disrupted sleep as a result of this."IT problems add to workloadNorthland staff have also had to contend with multiple IT problems.Clinicians lost access to patient x-rays and scans for a couple of hours last month, while the internal system for lab results also went down.Staff resorted to making notes on paper or in Word documents to paste in later.Whangārei's switchboard was hit by intermittent faults last Thursday, which caused delays for non-emergency calls.Payinda said it all added to the frustrations for clinical staff and wait times for patients."It has direct impacts on patient care if you can't access labs, if you can't access x-rays and CT scans for hours, from regional and rural hospitals see the studies your patients have had. That's pretty dangerous for patient care."Health NZ said staff worked with the phone company to fix Thursday's switchboard problem as quickly as possible, and services were back to normal by 4pm.During the time the clinical portal was off-line, laboratory results were provided "manually" and patient care continued.The IT issue was fixed quickly the following day.An expired network certificate was to blame for the problem with the radiology system.A temporary solution was put in place so clinicians could see the medical images and processes had been updated so it did not happen again.Association of Salaried Medical Specialists regional industrial officer Sarah Thompson said it was an awkward workaround."Doctors had to actually delay patient care while they traipsed across the hospital to the radiology department. In one case, a patient had been transferred from Bay of Island because their condition was too acute to be dealt with there, and on arrival they had to be re-x-rayed, so their scans could be viewed."With Te Whatu Ora scrapping millions of dollars in IT upgrades, hospitals were likely to experience more outages to their ageing systems, she said.This story was originally published by RNZ

The Matakana Jubilee Park Pump Track is one step closer to becoming a reality after receiving landowner approval from the Rodney Local Board. This community-driven project, spearheaded by the Matakana Community Group (MCG), is set to provide a dedicated space for cyclists, skateboarders, and scooter riders. With groundwork scheduled to begin in the first half of 2025, the initiative is generating excitement across the region.A Vision for Recreation and ConnectivityThe pump track, designed by Council-approved experts Empire of Dirt, will cover an 800-square-metre asphalt surface, making it suitable for riders of all ages and abilities. Positioned within a 1600-square-metre area at Diamond Jubilee Park, the track will complement the park’s existing facilities, including tennis courts, horse jumps, and basketball and netball hoops.In addition to the track, the project integrates plans for a walking and cycling loop that will connect the park with Matakana village. This off-road access will enhance recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike, further cementing Jubilee Park as a central hub for community sports and leisure.Overcoming ChallengesWhile the project has widespread support, it faced some initial concerns. The Matakana Pony Club, which holds a non-exclusive licence to use the park, raised issues about parking availability during major events. However, the Local Board determined that the pump track’s long-term benefits to the broader community outweigh these concerns.Resource and building consents remain as final hurdles before construction can begin, but the MCG is determined to see the project through.Fundraising for the FutureThe pump track comes with a $440,000 price tag, of which half has already been raised thanks to the generous donation of $220,000 from a local philanthropist. Now, the MCG is calling on the community to help bridge the remaining gap.Jubilee Park is the only green space in our community suitable for recreation and sports. This project will provide facilities for all ages, furthering our vision of a vibrant, inclusive community space.Donations can be made directly to the Matakana Community Group:Account: 12-3095-0186234-00For sponsorship opportunities, contact Simon Barclay at [email protected] the CommunityThe Matakana Community Group, an Incorporated Society with charitable status, has been instrumental in driving local development. From town planning and traffic management to environmental projects like pest control, the MCG works closely with Auckland Council, Auckland Transport, and Local Board representatives to advance initiatives that benefit the Matakana area.For more details or to support this initiative, visit the MCG website at www.matakanacommunitygroup.org.

Warkworth / Rodney RegionMonday 9th December - Mostly cloudy. Isolated showers turning to rain this afternoon, possibly heavy, easing late evening. Northwesterlies, turning southwesterly this evening.Tuesday 10th December - Showers before dawn, then fine. Southerlies, easing in the evening.Wednesday 11th - Mostly cloudy, with showers in the afternoon. Northerlies developingThursday 12th - Showers developing. Northerlies, easing.Friday 13th - Fine with southwesterlies.Saturday 14th - Partly cloudy. Light winds.Sunday 15th - Rain with northerlies.Mangawhai / Northland RegionMonday 9th December - Mostly cloudy. A few showers, turning to rain this evening. Northwesterlies.Tuesday 10th December - Rain before dawn, then partly cloudy. Southerlies, easing in the evening.Wednesday 11th - Mostly cloudy, with the chance of a shower from morning. Northerlies developing.Thursday 12th - Partly cloudy, with the chance of a shower. Light winds.Friday 13th - Fine with southwesterlies.Saturday 14th - A few showers. Light winds.Sunday 15th - Rain with northerlies.

People with ADHD are being warned not to share medication, as the country is affected by a worldwide shortage.ADHD New Zealand spokesman Darrin Bull said some people have had to pick which days they take their medicine, to try to make their prescription last longer.While some had been asking others to lend them some of their medicine, which needs to stop, he said.A worldwide shortage of methylphenidate, prescribed under the brand names Ritalin, Concerta or Teva, has lasted more than a year.And Bull said some New Zealanders who could not get their medication had expressed panic."The ADHD medication is there for a purpose, and without it people can struggle - and really struggle," Bull said."Some of the issues has been if they might try alternatives. We certainly on our social media site have got some of our community asking: 'can someone please lend me some medication?'."ADHD is estimated to affect more than 250,000 New Zealanders, and while a recent study found the amount of ADHD medication dispensed between 2006 and 2022 had increased tenfold, only about 20 percent of those with ADHD are thought to be receiving treatment.Medsafe warns that supplying prescription medicine over the internet and via social media - for sale or for free - is illegal, and so is purchasing or possessing it.Bull recommended that people affected by attention deficit hyperactivity disorder talk to a GP and a pharmacist, or find a non-medical alternative such as an ADHD coach, instead.ADHD New Zealand said alternatives to medication include support group discussions and advice, acupuncture, brain gym, counselling, diet, therapy and occupational therapy.The shortage is expected to last until mid-2025.New medication now fundedFunding has been extended to now include an additional ADHD medication.Lisdexamfetamine (known by the brand name Vyvanse) has been available in New Zealand as a private non-funded alternative option to methylphenidate since 2023, and the country's drug-buying agency Pharmac began subsidising it on 1 December.It has hopes the alternative drug will ease the pressure on the supply of other ADHD medicines.Pharmac noted that some lisdexamfetamine users who had already been buying it privately had previously reported supply problems, but said now that it is publicly funded, suppliers are required "to hold set amounts of stock in New Zealand to minimise risk of a supply issue".However Bull said ADHD New Zealand did not believe funding lisdexamfetamine would immediately help with the current medication shortage.Lisdexamfetamine needs to be prescribed by a psychiatrist, and: "The waiting lists to see a psychiatrist if you're an adult are quite long, and you might also find [there's] a substantial fee if you go private," he said.Pharmac said it expects the new medication will benefit more than 6000 people with ADHD in its first year of being funded, and about 13,000 people after five years.this story was originally posted by RNZ

A Warkworth transport group working to improve an intersection described as the worst in New Zealand says it's "appalled and insulted" by the reasons given for shelving the long-promised upgrade.Warkworth's notoriously complicated Hill Street intersection was to have been replaced with two roundabouts in a project starting this year and jointly funded by Auckland Transport and NZTA.However, it was revealed this week that NZTA had removed the project from its 2024-27 road funding plan, because it did not meet the priorities set by the new Government Policy Statement on Land Transport.Transport Minister Simeon Brown said that was because the Northern Motorway extension and the new Matakana link road had reduced traffic through the intersection, but also because the design included at least five new speed bumps and three sections of cycleway.Brown said that did not align with government policy or his expectation that investment in transport infrastructure would get back to basics.If Auckland Transport wanted to advance the project, they would need to redesign it, then re-submit it to NZTA to apply for co-funding, Brown said.Dave Stott, who co-chairs the One Mahurangi Transport and Infrastructure Forum with MP Chris Penk, said he was "extremely disappointed"."We were appalled by the minister's comments about having to redesign the intersection with particular reference to cycling and pedestrian access, given that we've had a process of design engagement with Auckland Transport and NZTA … In fact, we felt insulted."This process has been going on now for about six years. We've had a number of our own engineers working side by side with the engineers at Auckland Transport to come up with what we believe to be the most economic and most effective design for that intersection."Stott, a former roading engineer, said a raft of groups and government agencies had been involved in coming up with an integrated transport plan for the town that took into account the needs of motorists, pedestrians, cyclists and public transport.The cycleways had been designed to link up with cycleways planned by three new housing developments in the Hill Street area - Arvida, the Kilns project and Templeton - as well as with the Matakana Coastal Trail."So what we are doing is tying in to a network proposed by a number of other parties, but also taking account of the fact that there's probably going to be up to 10,000 people living in the northeast of Warkworth in future."They, in particular school kids, are going to have to come through that intersection, because all the schools are to the west or the south."So we're looking at huge safety issues for schoolchildren and cyclists to get in to Warkworth," Stott said.While it was true the number of vehicles using the intersection had fallen since the motorway extension had been completed, Stott said projections showed that once the three housing developments had been built, traffic volumes would be even higher than they had been pre-motorway.The Hill Street intersection funnels traffic from seven directions between the old State Highway 1, Warkworth's town centre, the boomtown of Matakana and coastal settlements such as Snell's Beach, using a muddle of traffic lights, give way and stop signs, a clear zone, and turning bays.It is particularly unusual in that vehicles heading towards the town centre from the north have to pass through a queue of traffic at the traffic lights on Sandspit Road.this story was written by Peter de Graaf and originally posted by www.rnz.co.nz

Northlanders are being warned the region faces some tough choices as biosecurity officials grapple with an ever-growing number of invasive pests.Northland Regional Council is seeking early feedback about which new invaders should be added to its list of 143 pest plants and animals, and how it should best use its limited staff and funding to tackle them.Biosecurity working party chairman Jack Craw said the council was considering new rules that would ban the sale of some turtles, lizards and parrots, as well as certain exotic palms.The council was also looking at adding new species such as Madagascar ragwort, a fast-spreading pasture weed, and exotic caulerpa, an invasive seaweed, to its pest management plan.Craw said the aim of the pest plan was to get the right management approaches in place for the many species classed as pests in Northland, and direct the right balance of funding to the right places."Resources are limited and some hard decisions will need to be made regarding which pests will be able to be managed. We're really keen to hear people's thoughts on what's working well with the current pest plan, and what might need to change."Far North farmer Ian Sizer examines a clump of Madagascar ragwort, a toxic pasture invader the Northland Regional Council is considering adding to its pest management plan. Photo: RNZ / Peter de GraafCraw said some pests posed a bigger threat than others, some pests were easier to manage than others, many pests were long-established in the north and a few had arrived only recently.He said the council was investigating changes to the rules for turtles (red-eared slider turtle and the snake-neck turtle), lizards (bearded dragon and eastern water dragon) and parrots (galah, Indian ring-necked parakeet, rainbow lorikeet, and sulphur-crested cockatoo)."These species are generally not established in the wild in Te Tai Tokerau, but if they were to escape or be released, the impact they would have in the environment could be huge. We're considering whether banning these species from sale or breeding would help reduce that risk."Craw said the council was also investigating options for managing tench, a freshwater fish, and the Canada goose, species originally introduced for hunting and fishing.The sale of bangalow and Chinese fan palms had already been banned in Auckland, and the council was considering doing the same in Northland because they outcompeted nikau palms when invading forest areas.The freshwater gold clam (Corbicula fluminea). Photo: Supplied/ NIWACraw said the current pest plan covered 143 animal, plant, freshwater and marine pests, as well as the microorganism that caused kauri dieback disease.It also included a marine pathway plan to prevent marine pests from being transported to new places.New species the council was still assessing and considering adding to the list were the toxic pasture invader Madagascar ragwort, fall armyworm, Australian winged weta (also known as king cricket), exotic caulerpa, a seaweed called red sea plume, the highly invasive freshwater gold clam, and the fungal disease myrtle rust.Craw said formal submissions on the plan would open in March, but the council was holding early engagement with hapū, iwi, kaitiaki, pest control groups and other interested parties.Comments on the pest plan could be shared via an online form at www.nrc.govt.nz/pestplan, by emailing [email protected] or phoning 0800 002 004.This story was originally posted by www.rnz.co.nz

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi advises of the following closures for motorway improvements. Work delayed by bad weather will be completed at the next available date, prior to Friday, 13 December 2024.Unless otherwise stated, closures start at 9pm and finish at 5am. Traffic management may be in place before the advertised closure times for the mainline.NORTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Southbound lanes between Constellation Drive off-ramp and Northcote Road on-ramp, 8 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Constellation Drive southbound on-ramp, 8 DecemberTristram Avenue southbound on-ramp, 8 DecemberStafford Road northbound off-ramp, 8-12 DecemberCurran Street northbound on-ramp, 8-12 DecemberCENTRAL MOTORWAY JUNCTION (CMJ)Southbound lanes between Fanshawe Street off-ramp and Symonds Street on-ramp, 12 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 southbound to SH16 eastbound (Port) link, 12 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)aSH1 southbound to SH16 westbound link, 12 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Hobson Street southbound on-ramp, 12 DecemberSH16 eastbound to SH1 southbound link, 12 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Westbound lanes between Stanley Street off-ramp and Wellesley Street East on-ramp, 12 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH16 westbound (Port) to SH1 southbound link, 12 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Grafton Road southbound on-ramp, 12 DecemberSOUTHERN MOTORWAY (SH1)Northbound lanes between East Tamaki Road off-ramp and Mt Wellington Highway on-ramp, 10-11 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Princes Street northbound on-ramp, 10-11 DecemberHighbrook Drive northbound on-ramp, 10-11 DecemberEast Tamaki Road northbound on-ramp, 10-11 DecemberSouthbound lanes between Redoubt Road off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 8-9 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)SH1 southbound to SH20 northbound link, 8-9 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Redoubt Road southbound on-ramp, 8-9 DecemberTakanini southbound on-ramp, 8-9 DecemberSouthbound lanes between Takanini off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 10 December (approx. 9:30pm to 5:30am)Takanini southbound on-ramp, 10 December (approx. 9:30pm to 5:30am)Papakura (Diamond) southbound on-ramp, 10 DecemberPapakura (Loop) northbound on-ramp, 10 DecemberSouthbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Drury/SH22 on-ramp, 11 DecemberPapakura (Loop) southbound on-ramp, 11 DecemberPapakura (Diamond) southbound on-ramp, 11 DecemberSouthbound lanes between Papakura off-ramp and Ramarama on-ramp, 12 DecemberPapakura (Loop) northbound on-ramp, 12 DecemberPapakura (Diamond) southbound on-ramp, 12 DecemberDrury/SH22 southbound on-ramp, 12 DecemberNorthbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Papakura on-ramp, 11 DecemberDrury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 11 DecemberNorthbound lanes between Drury/SH22 off-ramp and Takanini on-ramp, 12 DecemberPapakura (Diamond) northbound on-ramp, 12 DecemberPapakura (Loop) northbound on-ramp, 12 DecemberDrury/SH22 northbound on-ramp, 12 DecemberBeaver Road northbound on-ramp, 8-12 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Beaver Road northbound off-ramp, 8-12 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Nikau Road northbound on-ramp, 8-12 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Rangiriri off-ramp and Hampton Downs on-ramp, 12 DecemberTe Kauwhata southbound on-ramp, 12 DecemberNORTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH16)Southbound lanes between Foster Road and Riverhead Road, 6 December (approx. 6:00pm to 8:00pm)Northbound lanes between Riverhead Road and Foster Road, 6 December (approx. 6:00pm to 8:00pm)Southbound lanes between Trigg Road and Waimauku roundabout, 8 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Waimauku roundabout and Trigg Road, 8 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Waimauku roundabout and Foster Road, 9-12 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Northbound lanes between Foster Road and Waimauku roundabout, 9-12 December (approx. 8:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Access Road and Taupaki Road roundabout, 9-11 DecemberNorthbound lanes between Taupaki Road roundabout and Access Road, 9-11 DecemberUPPER HARBOUR MOTORWAY (SH18)Eastbound lanes between Brigham Creek Road off-ramp and Squadron Drive on-ramp, 12 DecemberBrigham Creek Road eastbound on-ramp, 12 DecemberSOUTHWESTERN MOTORWAY (SH20)Neilson Street southbound off-ramp, 9 DecemberSouthbound lanes between Mahunga Drive off-ramp and Massey Road on-ramp, 8 & 12 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Walmsley Road southbound on-ramp, 8 & 12 DecemberSH20 southbound to SH20A southbound link, 8 & 12 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Southbound lanes between Lambie Drive off-ramp and SH1 on-ramp, 8-9 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)Lambie Drive southbound on-ramp, 8-9 DecemberSH20 southbound to SH1 northbound link, 8-9 December (approx. 10:00pm to 5:00am)

**UPDATE** 06/12 12:10pmDOC has covered a fair bit of ground this morning and no sightings of the marine mammal have been found.We ask that members of the public remain vigilant and report any sightings to 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).**UPDATE** 06/12 10:25amDOC has been to the site at Onerahi but couldn’t spot the whale from land. They will now head out on the water for a closer look.If you see any signs of the whale, please report it to 0800 DOC HOT (0800 362 468).The Department of Conservation (DOC) has received reports of a marine mammal stranding at Onerahi, Whangārei. While initial reports suggested a whale, other sources indicate it could be a dolphin.DOC staff and Project Jonah are en route to assess the situation. At this time, no additional assistance is required, but we will provide updates if this changes.This is also a great time to highlight that Project Jonah offers Marine Mammal Medic courses, training volunteers to help rescue stranded marine life.If you’re interested in making a difference, find out more and sign up here: Marine Mammal Medic Course.If you would like to donate to their cause please head to their website.Stay tuned for further updates by checking this page.

Peter de GraafWarkworth residents are frustrated and disappointed after long-promised improvements to a notorious intersection have been shelved once again.The Hill Street junction, about 60 kilometres north of Auckland, is often described as the worst intersection in New Zealand.It is a clogged tangle of roads where traffic is funnelled between the old State Highway 1, Matakana, east coast towns such as Snell's Beach, and Warkworth's town centre.One Mahurangi Business Association manager Murray Chapman described it as particularly dangerous."If you can imagine an intersection designed by somebody going through emotional turmoil. There's five roads leading into it. Some people bully their way through. Some people will sit at the give-way signs for what seems like hours because they're too scared to go anywhere," he said.Warkworth Lodge owner Liz Bays said the intersection actually had traffic coming from seven directions.AT had planned to replace the Hill Street intersection with two roundabouts. Photo: Supplied / Auckland TransportIt combined traffic lights, give-way and stop signs, a clear zone, turning bays and a pedestrian crossing, and was especially intimidating for out-of-towners."As a local, you know to look in all directions. Looking right doesn't apply. It's like look everywhere and then go. But people coming in, particularly in the busy season, are not quite aware of the complication of it until they're in amongst it. And that's when you get people screeching on brakes," she said.Warkworth residents have been lobbying roading authorities to fix the intersection for decades, and plans have been floated since at least 2010.In 2023, Auckland Transport announced a solution involving two roundabouts had finally been found, and construction would start within 12 months, funding permitting.However, a rejig of priorities meant the project no longer makes the cut in the government's 2024-27 roading funding plan, and it is not clear when it could be built after that.Chapman said he was gutted by the news."We thought we had it over the line. We'd worked with the Auckland Transport design team to make sure the community's voice was heard and Auckland Transport told us that they had their share of the money ready to go and we were under the impression that the NZTA also had their share of the money … and then to be told that the minister had kiboshed it just gave us a real sinking feeling in the stomach that once again, we'd been pushed off the timetable."While traffic volumes had dropped since the Northern Motorway was extended to a point just north of Warkworth, Chapman said that had not necessarily made the intersection safer because cars were now travelling through it at greater speed.Bays said news the project had again been shelved came out of the blue.The upgrade would have complemented other new infrastructure around Warkworth, and the twin-roundabout design would have future-proofed the town because it would be able to handle the area's fast growing population."I'm disappointed and surprised. It doesn't seem to be logical. Everything had been going very nicely with the new highway and the link roads. This was definitely part of the solution."Google Earth view of Warkworth’s complicated and confusing Hill Street intersection. Photo: Supplied / Google EarthResidents forced to run the Hill Street gauntlet most frequently includes those who live in Snell's Beach, including long-time resident Dave Parker.Parker said he was "totally disappointed" and urged roading authorities to reconsider their decision."I've lived here for most of my life, from the time I went to school and biked through it, so I've got to know the intersection pretty well. And with the huge increase in population that's occurring in the town, we're looking at perhaps another 30,000 people here in the next 10 to 15 years, that intersection's going to be under real pressure."Chapman agreed the time to fix the intersection was now, before the area's population soared, and while the government's share of the cost was a relatively modest $9 million."The major concern is that by delaying it, it's going to be at a time when the intersection is a lot busier, and there'll be more and more traffic disruption, but also the cost is going to be a lot greater. It's never going to be cheaper than doing it now."NZTA said the Hill Street intersection improvements were no longer included in the 2024-27 National Land Transport Programme, because they did not meet the priorities set by the new Government Policy Statement on Land Transport.Planning work for the upgrade, however, would continue.Transport Minister Simeon Brown said Auckland Transport's design for upgrades of the Hill Street intersection included at least five new speed bumps and three sections of cycleway.That did not align with the Government Policy Statement on Land Transport, or his expectation that investment in transport infrastructure would get back to basics."If Auckland Transport wish to advance this project, they will need to rework the design for the intersection to better align with the GPS and then re-submit it to NZTA for consideration of co-funding."Brown said the Puhoi to Warkworth motorway extension and the new Matakana Link Road had also significantly reduced pressure on the Hill Street intersection.This story was originally published by RNZ

Warkworth / Rodney RegionFriday 6th Dec - Fine apart from morning and evening cloud. Southwesterlies, easing this evening.Saturday 7th Dec - Fine, but becoming cloudy in the morning. Southwesterlies, easing at night.Sunday 8th Dec - Partly cloudy. Northerlies developing.Mangawhai / Northland RegionFriday 6th Dec - Fine apart from some evening cloud. Southwesterlies.Saturday 7th Dec - Fine, but becoming cloudy in the morning. Southwesterlies, easing in the morning.Sunday 8th Dec - Partly cloudy. Northerlies developing.

Summer is here and our town has a lot to offer!One of the joys of working at the Information Centre is meeting visitors from all over, hearing their accents, and learning about their journeys. As summer begins, the flow of visitors picking up brochures or seeking advice reminds us of how much our town has to offer.Our volunteers and staff do an incredible job promoting local businesses, sharing insights about Mahurangi’s attractions, and sometimes even helping with practical needs like finding a mechanic or doctor. Their friendly recommendations make a real difference—not just for visitors but for the businesses they mention.It’s heartening to hear visitors praise Warkworth’s charm, friendliness, and welcoming atmosphere. These small gestures—like a smile, a kind word, or taking time to answer questions—leave lasting impressions. When I travel, I’m reminded it’s these human touches that make the biggest difference.So, as the holiday season ramps up, let’s remember:A warm smile and good customer service can turn visitors into loyal patrons.Helping out, even if it’s just answering a question, builds goodwill for our town.A bustling town centre might feel like a bit of an inconvenience, but it’s a sign of economic activity supporting local businesses.Be patient with drivers who might not know their way around—many of us have been in their shoes while exploring new places.Businesses that depend on visitor spending thrive when we all create a positive experience.Invite visitors to return for our great events, from the Winter Festival to the Kowhai Festival, to the Santa Parade and beyond.Looking ahead, Saturday will be a huge day with the Santa Parade, Family Fun Day, and Carols in the Park. Thanks to the local businesses, schools, kindergartens, and groups who’ve signed up, the Parade is officially full! Make sure to enjoy the festivities, do some Christmas shopping, and soak in the magic of our community coming together.Together, we’re stronger—and that’s what makes our town so special.Murray ChapmanManager, One Mahurangi Business Association@onemahurangi // On our social platforms:Keith Hay Homes has built this delightful playhouse and is generously donating it as a prize at the Warkworth Santa Parade! Imagine the joy on your little one’s face when they see this magical space to play and dream.To be in with a chance to win:Fill out an entry form – available at the gazebo at Baxter Street Reserve right after the parade.Be present at Baxter Street Reserve at 5:30 PM for the prize draw.Bonus: If you live within 10km of Warkworth, Keith Hay Homes will even deliver the playhouse right to your doorstep! Don’t miss this opportunity – it’s the perfect way to add a little extra Christmas magic to your family celebrations. See you in Warkworth, 7th Dec from 2pm! Bonus Santa Encounter for Warkworth Residents | Tues 10th Dec from 6pmMark your calendars for Tuesday, 10th December 2024—it’s time to welcome Santa, Mrs Claus, and the amazing team from the Warkworth Volunteer Fire Brigade as they bring festive cheer to the streets of our town! Route Highlights: The sleigh will start from ITSS on Morrison Drive at 6 PM, traveling through Warkworth's residential streets, spreading joy and holiday cheer. The journey wraps up back at ITSS around 7 PM. Check the map for the full route!Sweet Treats Alert: Santa’s helpers will be handing out lollies to kids along the wayBusiness Health Check SurveyOne Mahurangi is committed to supporting you and your business. That’s why we’re asking for just 2 minutes of your time to complete our Business Health Check survey.  Your feedback helps us understand your needs better and shape our initiatives to benefit the local business community.To take the survey now CLICK HERE>TO READ THE FULL NEWSLETTER HEAD HERE

Hon Chris PenkAdditional funding in Budget 2024 has reduced the waiting list of veterans seeking medical and rehabilitation support, Veterans Minister Chris Penk says.“When we were elected a year ago, the Government made a commitment to improve New Zealand’s public services. As Veterans Minister this means improving access for veterans to treatment and rehabilitation when they need it,” Mr Penk says.“My number one goal when I took on this role was to reduce wait times for veterans, which is why Budget 2024 invested an extra $4 million dollars over four years directly into Veterans’ Affairs to speed up processing times of applications.“While there is still more work to address the significant backlog that built up during Covid, it is good to see the numbers now turning around, with Veterans’ Affairs using the additional funding to clear 500 claims from their backlog.“At its worst, Veterans’ Affairs had a backlog of 2,807 open claims. This has now reduced to 2,305, which represents a decrease of more than 17 per cent.“New Zealand’s veterans have sacrificed so much for our country, and it is simply unacceptable that some were waiting more than a year to receive the support they deserve.“It is clear to me that there is still a large task ahead of us to reduce processing times to an acceptable level. A recent decision of the Veterans Entitlement Board that would expand coverage beyond that currently administered under the legislation will influence Veterans Affairs’ ability to continue with this positive trend, so those implications need to be considered carefully.“In the meantime, I am delighted that the additional funding provided by our Government has had made a measurable difference to improve outcomes for Kiwi veterans.”

A massive dead whale has been spotted floating in the waters near Tāwharanui,  off the coast of Omaha.Boaties are urged to exercise caution, especially at night, as the whale may not be visible and could pose a collision risk.Michele MacKenzie, who discovered the whale, captured some incredible close-up photos of it.DOC and local Iwi have been notified, but the tide and wind are pushing the whale towards deeper waters near the southern end of Little Barrier.Please stay vigilant and take care.

Upcoming Christmas Events to Bring Joy to Our CommunityThe festive season is upon us, and there’s no shortage of events to enjoy in the lead-up to Christmas! Here’s what’s happening in and around the area to get you into the holiday spirit:🎄 Treemendous Christmas Tree Display & Meet Santa Daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, Saturday 30th November – Sunday 8th December Explore a dazzling Christmas tree display and meet Santa in person! Perfect for families and festive enthusiasts alike.🎅 Saturday 7th DecemberHighfield Donkey Santa Fun Day 11 AM – 1:30 PM, 483 Mahurangi East Road, Algies Bay Meet the donkeys, enjoy fun activities, and grab a festive treat!Warkworth Santa Parade 2024 2 PM – 8 PM Watch the streets come alive with floats, music, and Christmas cheer. An evening not to be missed!Puhoi Christmas Movie Night 4 PM – 9 PM Cosy up under the stars with a festive family film at Puhoi.🎁 Friday 13th DecemberPre-Xmas Youth Market 5 PM – 8 PM, Shoesmith Hall, Warkworth Support young entrepreneurs and find unique Christmas gifts while enjoying a festive atmosphere.⭐ Saturday 14th DecemberPuhoi Village Market - Christmas Twilight Market!! 3 PM – 7 PM Stroll through the twilight market, enjoy live music, and pick up locally crafted Christmas goodies.Hogwarts Christmas - An Evening for Book LoversJoin us at Hogwarts for a special Christmas event – witches, wizards and muggles welcome!Step into a magical book club event inspired by J K Rowlings’ infamous Harry Potter universe.🎄 Sunday 15th DecemberFamily Fun Hogwarts Christmas - For Book Lovers3 shows; Sun 15 Dec 10:00am–11:00am; 11:30am–12:30pm; 1:00pm–2:00pmMark your calendars and make the most of this festive season. There’s something for everyone—head along, bring your family, and have a very Merry Christmas!

The nationwide strike will be a complete withdrawal of labour at every Te Whatu Ora facilityIt will be held from 11am to 7pm on TuesdayLife-preserving services will continueCollective contract negotiations are deadlockedThe nationwide strike will be followed by rolling district strikes, with details yet to come.About 36,000 nurses, midwives and healthcare assistants are walking off the job for eight hours today over what they say are critical threats to patient safety.Nurses Organisation chief executive Paul Goulter said collective bargaining had stalled over "the big ticket items", which centred on patient safety.Union members were particularly worried about Health New Zealand's plan to pause the Care Capacity Demand Management programme, he said.That calculates the number of staff and the skill mix needed to safely care for patients according to how sick they are, in real time."Ultimately, patients will pay the price for hospitals that are continuously understaffed and under-resourced," Goulter said.Members were also disappointed with Te Whatu Ora restricting "bargaining parameters" for the settlement to 1 percent of total employee costs.This would equate to just 0.5 percent in the first year, and up to 1 percent in the second year."This means nurses, midwives, health care assistants and kaimahi hauora will be offered a wage increase well below the rate of inflation - and effectively a pay cut. Nurses should not have to prop up the health system by taking cuts in pay," Goulter said."This could lead to a further exodus of New Zealand nurses to Australia. Nurses need a pay rise that reflects at least the cost of living and recognises their skills and knowledge."Cost-cutting hurting patient care, nurses sayWaikato nurse Tracy Chisholm said the "lack of respect" by management and the government for nurses "needs to be called out"."For me it's about safety - the safety of our patients. How do we provide culturally safe care without the nurses to do it; how do we educate, prevent deterioration and further harm without the nurses to provide; how do we meet the governments health Kaupapa without the nurses?"Rotorua nurse Lyn Logan said Te Whatu Ora's constant financial constraints were impacting patient care."When we are under-resourced and understaffed, we do not have enough healthcare workers to give the best care, and our patient's care will suffer as a result."For me, it's about informing the public who use health services, and my community, that if I do not strike then I am not committed to improving health services in my region. I want to give our community the best care I can when they come into the hospital, at present I cannot do this."Christchurch nurse Debbie Handisides said she was striking for future nurses and patients."We have fought for years for nurses to be paid equally to a male comparator, but with the parameters that Te Whatu Ora are proposing up to 1 percent total cost of a nurse won't even meet the household cost of living, so why would anyone pick nursing as a career if they can't pay their household bills?"Plans in place - Health NZHealth New Zealand said hospitals and emergency departments would remain open during the strike action.Deputy chief executive Northern Mark Shepherd said to "maintain patient safety", some clinics would be closed."However, if you have a hospital appointment tomorrow (Tuesday), please come to your appointment unless we have contacted you directly to reschedule."Any appointments that are deferred due to the strike action will be rescheduled for the next available opportunity."A patient with an outpatient appointment at Wellington Hospital said she was only informed on Monday that it had been cancelled and rebooked for February.Shepherd said Health NZ valued the contribution of its nursing workforce - but was "disappointed that strike action is being taken so early in the bargaining process"."We are committed to reaching a settlement with NZNO. Any settlement needs to reflect the ongoing reset of Health NZ as we work to get back to budget and complete the restructuring underway. "Shepherd said nurses' salaries had "outperformed the broader labour market outcomes" in recent years, with pay rates for mid career nurses rising by 28 percent since 2016, plus additional 23 percent from the recent pay equity settlement.But Goulter said it was misleading to include the pay equity settlement, which was meant to compensate nurses for historic sex-based discrimination."Te Whatu Ora has completely failed to recognise that you can't conflate that with nurses' legitimate request to receive at least the cost of living movement as well as recognising the value they bring to their work."I think in a way it's quite insulting."This story was originally published by RNZ

SH1 Auckland Harbour Bridge 5:30PM A breakdown is blocking the left northbound lane (lane 1 of 4) on Auckland Harbour Bridge. Pass with care and expect delays.SH20 NORTHBOUND WATERVIEW TUNNEL 5:35PM A breakdown is blocking the right lane in the Northbound Waterview Tunnel. Pass with care and expect some delays until cleared. SH20 SOUTHWESTERN MWY 5:25PM A crash is blocking the #SH20 southbound Hillsborough Rd on-ramp. Merge with care and expect delays.

Dozens of Auckland beaches are on high alert, with some closures in place, following reports of elevated faecal bacteria levels.At least 25 beaches across the city have been identified as high-risk, with Safeswim water quality models predicting contamination levels that exceed national safety standards.Four central Auckland beaches—Herne Bay, Home Bay, Judges Bay, and Te Tinana—have been closed due to wastewater overflow.Beachgoers are being advised to avoid swimming at beaches under high-risk alerts issued by Safeswim.Beaches north of Mairangi Bay are currently marked safe for swimming, with the exception of Algies Bay.At Algies Bay, a warning has been issued due to thick algae mats. Auckland Council is conducting tests to determine whether the algae is toxic. Until the results are confirmed, visitors are advised to avoid contact with the algae, refrain from swimming, and avoid collecting or eating shellfish in the area.Additionally, a rāhui is in place at Waipū Beach following a drowning earlier this weekend. Visitors are asked to respect the rāhui and avoid entering the water in this area.Residents and visitors are encouraged to check the latest updates on Safeswim’s website at www.safeswim.org.nz before heading to the water to ensure their safety.